Berry Necessities
Cancer holds second place for the leading cause of death in the U.S. While many factors contribute, recent research shows that diet may link to one-third of all cancer deaths. How can you use your diet to fight back?
Eat strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They all contain phytochemicals that appear to reduce cancer risk. Those chemicals apparently block metabolic pathways associated with cancer development. They also contain antioxidants in anthocyanins, a substance that gives them their great blue, red and shiny black colors. Every week you should eat one to two servings (one serving equals one half cup).
Don’t want to pay the outrageous prices for berries at your grocery? Go to any of the Farmer’s Markets in your area as the berries come into season for a more reasonable buy. Rinse them gently before eating and handle carefully to prevent smashing. Don’t cover them with water or soak them. Pitch any that look rotten. You can eat them raw, stir them into plain yogurt, add as a topping to any dessert, or plunk them on your cereal. [Blend them with bananas, wheat germ and yogurt. -Ed.] Freeze large portions of berries to enjoy all year long. Don’t rinse berries before freezing; just pop some into those handy freezer bags. When they thaw, they will create a juicy mess, so handle carefully.
For the truly adventuresome, many states have farms that will allow you to pick your own berries, saving you even more money. For example, you can pick and buy a gallon of blueberries in Missouri for a little more than you’ll pay for a pint of those beauties in the grocery store.
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